Facing adversity head-on

Both bowling teams from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn were victorious against Sioux Central on Jan. 14. Originally to be held in December as a multi-team invitational, the meet was rescheduled as a varsity dual.

Both teams emerged victorious but had to adjust to the wood lanes at Spencer Bowl.

"It was undoubtedly a learning experience," acknowledged Hawk coach Julia Meyer. "We faced the adversity head-on, kept giving our best until the very end and relied on the skills we practice every day to succeed."

The H-M-S boys defeated Sioux Central (only three bowlers), 2517-1662. Individual game results were: Jack Mastbergen 180, 202; Dawson Niichel 142, 197; Eli Mastbergen 157, 223; Luke Dagel 167, 167; Hunter Daggett 109, 157; and Graham Lux 201, 129. Scores for the baker games were 190, 132, 131, 129 and 170.

The girls' hard work at adapting to wood lanes paid off with a 2009-845 win. Sioux Central only has two girls on their team.

"They've been improving and becoming better at making the necessary achievements to achieve the best results," Meyer noted.

The girls' two-game scores were: Jordan Lux 127, 158; Mason VerHelst 117, 153; Kaidence Shaffer 125, 143; Addison Huffman 128, 173; Kaeley Benson 128, 105; and Lillian Van Loon 92, 98. Baker game scores were 142, 119, 154, 102 and 135.

• Boys win again over E-LC

H-M-S won the boys' meet with Estherville-Lincoln Central, 2912-2740, on Jan. 16. The Hawks adapted well to the wood lanes at the Estherville bowling center.

"Despite having a mix of strong and average games, our talented boys remained focused and committed to winning," Meyer said. "The E-LC team gave us quite a challenge throughout the match; however, our boys demonstrated remarkable tenacity and didn't let this one slip away."

Jack Mastbergen followed up his 184 score in the first game with a 290, converting 11 strikes in a row. Other individual scores were Niichel 199, 150; Daggett 138, 140; Eli Mastbergen 233, 225; Lux 192, 146; and Dagel 161, 161. The Hawks' baker game scores were 259, 140, 201, 123 and 248.

E-LC does not have a girls' team, so the Hawks and the boys' JV bowlers took advantage of the opportunity to bowl three games for experience and practice.

Girls' scores were Huffman 110, 109, 181; Benson 90, 108, 108; Van Loon 107, 194, 138; VerHelst 144, 149, 149; Shaffer 143, 133, 152; Lux 128, 155, 149; Stella Anderson 100, 115, 135; and Jeriann Holtz 108, 118, 88.

JV boys' results were Skyler Shaffer 132, 159, 167; Ryan Grotluschen 121, 85, 97; Damian Dodge 167, 161, 120; Braden Niichel 219, 195, 161; Noah Niichel 165, 174, 159; Jackson Brower 134, 143, 114; and Blake Essing, 170, 140, 162.

The H-M-S bowlers will host Pocahontas Area in a meet on Jan. 28 at Sanborn.